HAKOL - January 2019

The Voice of the Lehigh Valley Jewish Community

www.jewishlehighvalley.org

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Issue No. 416

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January 2019

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Tevet/Sh’vat 5779

AWARD-WINNING PUBLICATION EST. 1977

Check out how the Lehigh Valley celebrated Chanukah this year! p6

Start off 2019 right with our special Health & Wellness section

LVJF TRIBUTES p8 JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE p11 JEWISH DAY SCHOOL p12-13 JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER p14 COMMUNITY CALENDAR p22-23

Super Sunday to showcase one incredible community

By Stephanie Smartschan JFLV Director of Marketing The community will come together on Jan. 27, 2019, as we launch the new year for a day of mitzvot and money-raising in support of Jews and others in need right here at home and all around the world.

There will be more ways than ever for volunteers to seek support for the Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs this year. In addition to two calling shifts, which will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the JCC, volunteers and Federation staff will utilize e-mail and social media to get the word out about the work of the campaign.

“We realize that in this day and age, many people are cautious about answering their phones, especially from unknown

numbers,” said Aaron Gorodzinsky, director of outreach and community relations for the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley. “We also realize that many people do want to be given the opportunity to donate.

So we are going to add on new and exciting ways to give them that opportunity.”

Super Sunday, this year chaired by Dana Cohen and Naomi Schachter, is the Federation’s largest single day of fundraising throughout the year. The funds raised help feed the hungry, care for the elderly and encourage Jewish life and learning in the Lehigh Valley, in Israel and in 70 worldwide countries.

In addition to a fundraising day, Super Sunday is also a day to perform mitzvot in our community. The Federation will partner with Jewish Family Service once again to provide warm kosher meals for

older adults, delivered right to their door, with Beth Kushnick serving as chair.

Volunteers will converge in the JCC kitchen beginning at 11:30 a.m. to prepare the meals. More volunteers will arrive at 2 p.m. for packaging and delivery.

“Our clients so appreciated the delicious homemade meals last year, that we knew we had to do it again,” said Carol Wilson, clinical coordinator of older adult services for Jewish Family Service.

This year’s PJ Library program, also in partnership with Jewish Family Service and beginning at 10:30 a.m., will serve as a kick-off to February’s Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month. PJ kids will join with students from the Parkland High School Junior NAD club for the deaf and hard of hearing to learn some sign language to accompany the PJ story “The

Mitten String.” There will be snacks, crafts and free T-shirts for the first 50 kids.

To learn more about Super Sunday or sign-up to volunteer or attend the PJ Library program, visit www.jewishlehighvalley.org/supersunday.

Local group turns one act of hate into ‘3,600 acts of love’

The women’s group gets to work to make their fundraiser a success.

Lauren Mallinger, daughter-in-law of 97-year-old Rose Mallinger, who was killed in the Pittsburgh shooting, wearing a Tree of Life necklace that she ordered from the Allentown women’s group.

By Stephanie Smartschan JFLV Director of Marketing One week before the tragic shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue, Debi Wiener was attending a

Non-Profit Organization 702 North 22nd Street Allentown, PA 18104

U.S. POSTAGE PAID Lehigh Valley, PA Permit No. 64

funeral at a Jewish cemetery in Fountain Hill.

“We were just standing there, it was all quiet, and a car drove by … it had a couple guys in it, and they yelled ‘we hope you all

die you stupid (expletive) Jews,’” Wiener said. “I had never encountered so closely to me such hatred.”

After a mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue where 11 innocent people were killed the following Shabbat, Wiener knew it was time to do more than “rant:” it was time to take action.

She quickly began brainstorming with a group of likeminded women she knew well.

The group had traveled to Israel together in 2017 with the Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project and the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

“We wanted to do a little fundraiser,” said Lauren Rabin, another member of the group.

“We thought, why don’t we raise some money for the shul and show that we stand with them and we support them.”

Latkey Balboa knocks out competition With their southwest latke and spicy mango martini, captain Holly Hebron led her Latkey Balboa team to victory in the second annual Latke-Vodka Hanukkah Cook-Off at the JCC on Dec. 13, 2018.

See more on pages 16-17.

Rabin and Wiener both make jewelry, which brought the idea quickly to mind: why not sell 100 “Tree of Life” necklaces for $10 each, make $1,000, and send it to the synagogue.

They posted the fundraiser on Facebook. Within three days, they had 1,500 orders.

“In fact we found that most of the people who bought the necklace were not Jewish, and were so happy to support this initiative,” Rabin said. “I think people see it as a way to bring people together and just to show we all are here for each other.”

The group quickly jumped in to help. Rabin ordered the materials and she and Wiener would put them together. Ali Lipson created a card to go in

Tree of Life Continues on page 15

2 JANUARY 2019 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

Federation hosts ‘Stop the Bleed’ training

By Stephanie Bolmer HAKOL Editor On the evening of Monday, Dec. 10, nearly 50 people gathered in the Auxiliary Auditorium of the Jewish Community Center to learn how to potentially save a life.

Dr. Peter Thomas, St. Luke’s University Health Network’s director of trauma, and a group of volunteers were on hand for a “Stop the Bleed” training, brought to the Jewish community by the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley and its chair Eric Fels.

Uncontrolled bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death from trauma, and this public health initiative seeks to save lives that would otherwise be lost by training the public on how to stop bleeding after an injury. The program was started in the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre, but the training can be utilized not only at the site of mass shootings and bombings, but also in the case of motor vehicle accidents or other injuries.

“Twenty-five to 30 percent of mass casualties from these incidents could be saved,” said Thomas as he introduced the program to the audience.

“Everyone can save a life!”

Thomas reinforced the idea that, in an event when trauma first aid is needed, each person should first ensure their own safety, as they would not

be able to help another victim if they themselves become injured. Alerting 9-1-1 is always the next step after that. Then, locating the main source of the life-threatening bleeding is the next priority. Finally, applying compression to the wound while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive is critical. Training participants each got to try applying a tourniquet and simulating packing a wound. The key point was that, while there are a number of methods that can be used, they all have one thing in common— compressing a bleeding blood vessel in order to stop the bleeding.

St. Luke’s Stop the Bleed Initiative aims to provide free trauma and bleeding prevention education to first responders, including police departments, schools and other community organizations. In addition, St. Luke’s offers “Stop the Bleed control kits” designed for use in the event of a bleeding emergency. Equipped with items including tourniquets and special bleeding control dressings, the St. Luke’s Stop the Bleed control kits can serve as an important companion to standard first aid kits and AEDs and contain all of the necessary supplies and resources needed to respond to and treat bleeding emergencies that may result from traumatic injuries.

One kit has been donated to the Lehigh Valley Jewish community and St. Luke’s is offering more kits at half price to non-profits. Contact Aaron Gorodzinsky for more details on ordering one for your group or synagogue.

Lunch & Learn to focus on local Torahs rescued from the Holocaust

By Barry Halper Special to HAKOL In late October, Carol and I went to London to see the Philadelphia Eagles play the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL game at Wembley Stadium.

Of course, we visited some of the notable tourist sites of the city. However, the highlight of our sightseeing was visiting the Czech Memorial Torah Scrolls Museum located within Westminster Synagogue. This museum and its board are the trustees of the 1,564 Torah Scrolls that were saved from destruction when the Nazis occupied Czechoslovakia from March 1939 through the end of World War II. When Carol and I entered the museum, we were graciously met by Miles Laddie, the treasurer of the Memorials Scrolls Trust, and he began to explain the incredible story of the Czech Memorial Scrolls.

Jews had lived in Bohemia and Moravia (provinces within Czechoslovakia) for more than a thousand years.

During that time, a rich Jewish culture developed, centered in Prague and spread across a large number of communities throughout the two provinces.

Miles explained that unlike the Jewish population in Poland and Russia, the Jews of Bohemia and Moravia were integrated into the general population.

They participated at all levels, i.e. professionals, store owners, tradesmen.

Starting in September 1939, the Nazis slowly and systematically began to take away the rights of the Jews in Prague and the rest of the two provinces. Deportations began in early 1942. At that time, it was clear to the leaders of the Jewish community in Prague that total destruction of the Jewish population was imminent.

The Jewish leaders reached out to all the communities and requested they send all of their Judaica items to the relative safety of the Jewish Museum in Prague. Some 1,800 Torah scrolls were collected. Each was meticulously catalogued by the museum staff with a description of the scroll and its place of origin. Over 100,000 items, including sefarim, and even instruments for brit milah, were sent to the Jewish Museum. The Nazis allowed the collection and cataloguing since they were planning on creating a Museum for Extinct Peoples.

After the war ended,

approximately 10,000 Jewish survivors returned to Prague and the provinces, and more than 200 Torahs were returned to these communities. The remaining 1,564 Torahs were kept in the Jewish Museum in Prague until 1964, when philanthropists in London purchased the Torahs from the Communist Czech government, brought the Torahs to Westminster Synagogue and created the Czech Memorial Scrolls Trust. The goal of the trust is to loan these scrolls out to synagogues all over the world, and if they are kosher, to be used for special occasions, primarily bar and bat mitzvah, as a rededication of these sacred scrolls.

In 1971, Congregation Sons of Israel in Allentown received Czech Memorial Scroll No. 75.

The scroll came from the town of Lipnik and was written in 1900. The Torah is on permanent loan from the Memorial Scrolls Trust.

Currently, Sons of Israel is working on creating a permanent display of the Torah as well as another Torah from pre-World War II Torahs Continues on page 15

JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY We gratefully acknowledge those individuals who have offered expressions of friendship by requesting that trees be planted in the Yoav--Lehigh Valley Partnership Park.

IN HONOR CHELSEA AND ELLIOT BUSCH Birth of their daughter, Maya SHALOM BABY

ANDREA AND SEAN TONE Birth of their daughter, Cadence SHALOM BABY

MARNIE AND ANDREW RUBENSTEIN Birth of their daughter, Allaire SHALOM BABY

TO ORDER TREES, call the JFLV at 610-821-5500 or visit www.jewishlehighvalley.org.

HAKOL STAFF STEPHANIE BOLMER Editor

HAKOL is published 11 times per year for the Jewish communities of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and vicinity by the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

COMMUNITY SUBMISSIONS Submissions to HAKOL must be of interest to the entire Jewish community. HAKOL reserves all editorial rights including, but not limited to, the decision to print any submitted materials, the editing of submissions to conform to style and length requirements, and the placement of any printed material. Articles should be submitted by e-mail or presented as typed copy; “Community Calendar” listings must be submitted by e-mail to hakol@jflv.org or online at www.jewishlehighvalley.org. Please include your name and a daytime telephone number where you can be contacted in the event questions arise.

We cannot guarantee publication or placement of submissions.

MAIL, FAX, OR E-MAIL TO: JFLV ATTN: HAKOL 702 N. 22nd St. Allentown, PA 18104 Phone: (610) 821-5500 Fax: (610) 821-8946 E-mail: hakol@jflv.org

STEPHANIE SMARTSCHAN JFLV Director of Marketing ALLISON MEYERS Graphic Designer DIANE MCKEE Advertising Representative TEL: 610-515-1391 hakolads@jflv.org

JFLV EXECUTIVE STAFF JERI ZIMMERMAN Interim Executive Director TEMPLE COLDREN Director of Finance & Administration JIM MUETH Director of Planned Giving & Endowments AARON GORODZINSKY Director of Outreach & Community Relations

EVA LEVITT JFLV President

EDITORIAL BOARD Monica Friess, Acting Chair Barbara Reisner Judith Rodwin Sara Vigneri

Member American Jewish Press Association

All advertising is subject to review and approval by The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley (JFLV). JFLV reserves the right to decline, withdraw and/or edit any ad. The appearance of any advertising in HAKOL does not represent an endorsement or kashrut certification. Paid political advertisements that appear in HAKOL do not represent an endorsement of any candidate by the JFLV.

JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY MISSION STATEMENT

In order to unite, sustain, and enhance the Lehigh Valley Jewish community, and support Jewish communities in Israel and around the world, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is dedicated to the following core values: • Supporting Jews in need wherever they may be.

• Supporting Israel as a Jewish homeland.

• Supporting and encouraging Jewish education in the Lehigh Valley as a means of strengthening Jewish life for individuals and families.

• Supporting programs and services of organizations whose values and mission meet local Jewish needs.

To accomplish this mission the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is committed to the following operating guidelines: • Raising and distributing funds to support the core values.

• Developing Jewish leaders.

• Building endowments to support implementation of core values.

• Committing to ongoing Jewish community strategic planning.

• Fostering cooperation among organizations and community building.

• Evaluating all decisions with respect to fiscal responsibility.

• Identifying unmet needs and investing in community initiatives to help get them started.

• Coordinating and convening a community response as an issue or need arises.

• Setting priorities for allocation and distribution of funds.

• Acting as a central address for communication about events, programs and services of the Jewish community as a whole.

Approved by the JFLV Board of Directors on November 15, 2000

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JANUARY 2019 3

Jewish Day School parent’s new book focuses on how World War I fostered religious pluralism in the US

By Stephanie Bolmer HAKOL Editor Editor’s Note: Dr. Jessica Cooperman is a Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley parent and an associate professor of religion studies and director of the Jewish Studies Program at Muhlenberg College.

Her new book, “Making Judaism Safe for America: World War I and the Origins of Religious Pluralism,” was published by NYU Press in October 2018 and would make a great read for anyone interested in American history, American Jews and Judaism, or World War I. HAKOL caught up with her to ask about the project.

Q: What led you to Jewish studies and to your current position at Muhlenberg?

A: I became interested in Jewish studies because I was interested in thinking about how Jews can serve as a lens for thinking about the broader dynamics in the societies in which they live.

So, what can we learn about American society by thinking about how Jews have and have not fit into mainstream ideas about religion or about American citizens?

Q: What was the genesis of this book?

A: The project was born out of my dissertation research.

Initially, I thought it would just be a study of the Jewish military chaplaincy, but as I got deeper into the archives, I became interested in the Jewish Welfare Board (JWB), an organization founded to help organize, supply and support the military chaplaincy, while serving as the Jewish representative to the U.S. War Department during World War I. I was fascinated by how the JWB used its position as the only Jewish organization authorized by the U.S. government to work on U.S. military camps and to provide what were known as “soldiers’ welfare services” to the nearly 250,000 Jewish men in the WWI U.S. military.

Q: What were soldiers’ welfare services?

A: The U.S. government wanted to use the military as an opportunity not only to train soldiers, but to teach them how to be better American citizens. The War Department created a new agency, the Commission on Training Camp Activities, or CTCA, which was charged with providing soldiers with educational and recreational programs that would help them “Americanize.” The CTCA did not have nearly enough staff to serve all of the nearly 5 million men in the WWI military, so they decided to partner with civilian agencies which would work directly with American soldiers and sailors. For this job, they turned first to the Protestant Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), which was happy to have the opportunity to offer social and spiritual services that they felt would teach soldiers to be better Americans. At that time, however, the YMCA was a proselytizing organization, and American Jews and Catholics did not want them to have access to their sons in the military. The Jewish Welfare Board and the Catholic Knights of Columbus lobbied for their own appointments to the CTCA and for the right to provide their services to Jewish and Catholic soldiers.

might be Catholic. These factors meant that, on the one hand, the government was far more concerned about the need to Americanize its soldiers than it ever had been; but it also meant that Jews and Catholics had far more power to make demands for equal representation in the military. In the book, I argue that because the JWB and the Knights of Columbus served as official appointed representatives of the U.S. War Department, they had a unique ability to advocate for changes within the military and for how the government and the country saw Jews and Catholics.

Changes made to the structure of the WWI military pushed the country away from thinking of America as a Protestant country and toward thinking of it as a country where Protestants, Catholics and Jews all have equal stakes.

Q: Why is this topic so relevant in today’s world?

A: I think that it’s interesting

to consider how these types of social changes come about. The move toward religious pluralism that I describe in the book came about unintentionally. The War Department was not trying to change the way that Americans thought about religion; it was trying to win the war and Americanize soldiers, particularly immigrant soldiers. But by choosing to work with religiously affiliated organizations, religion became entangled with the institutions of the state in unexpected ways and with unexpected results. History reminds us that government policies reverberate through our society, but not necessarily in the ways that were intended. I also think that the example of the JWB offers us a useful example of the ways that “church and state” are not always as separate as we like to think.

Q: What do you most hope readers take away from this book?

A: I hope that they will learn something about American Jewish history and the history

of religious pluralism in the U.S. The example of the JWB demonstrates that our ideas about what makes a religion “American” have evolved a great deal over time. I hope that readers will have a sense of the ways that Jews, both intentionally and unintentionally, have helped to change our ideas about religion, pluralism, and what it means to be an American.

Q: Why WWI? What is significant about that time period?

A: The U.S. military was far more diverse during WWI than during any previous American military conflict. Seventeen percent of all U.S. soldiers were born in other countries, and the percentage for Jewish soldiers may have been twice as high.

Some men were drafted into the service after only a few months in the United States. There were more Jews in the military than ever before, and many more Catholics. Some people estimated that nearly one third of all WWI American soldiers

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All payments are made payable to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley 4 JANUARY 2019 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

Travelers embark on journey of discovery for Israel @70 This Chanukah, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley brought a group of travelers to Israel to experience the vibrancy of the country’s 70th year, chaired by Vicki Wax. The group enjoyed a series of unique experiences, from participating in an exciting MasterChef-style Israeli cooking competition to meeting with officers and pilots on an Israeli air force base and viewing the yet-to-be-opened Hatzerim Spirit and Heritage Center. The travelers toured communities near the Gaza Strip and visited the “Path to Peace” wall by the Gaza border. They got an exclusive view of the Jerusalem seam line. The group had the opportunity to experience Chanukah at the Western Wall and came together each night to light the Chanukah candles.

The group visits the Neve Michael Children’s Village.

Above left, Vicki Wax, Marietta Banach, Kelly Banach and Debra Lewis. Above right, the group participates in a MasterChef-style cooking competition.

The group visits the Taglit-Birthright Innovation Center, witnessing the story of the “start-up nation.”

Above left, the group in “Seinfeld’s living room” at The Museum of the Jewish People. Above right, the group has dinner with friends from the Lehigh Valley’s Partnership2Gether region of Yoav.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JANUARY 2019 5

Chanukah in the Valley JCC Early Childhood Education hosts Chanukah craft time.

Lehigh Valley Phantoms ‘Light Up the Night’ with a giant ice menorah at the PPL Center.

Families make wooden menorahs at Home Depot with Chabad.

Temple Beth El constructs their largestever giant Lego menorah.

PJ Library families celebrate with meLVin at the Lehigh Valley Phantoms’ Light Up the Night.

Residents of Country Meadows enjoy a Chanukah dinner arranged by JFS.

Getting into the Chanukah spirit!

The children listen enthusiastically to the Dave Fry concert at the JCC Chanukah party.

Happy 2019!

Allentown & Lebanon Allentown & Wilkes-Barre

6 JANUARY 2019 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

JCC’s Friendship Circle gathers to light the menorah.

Israel Community Impact Grant innovates Chanukah celebration at JDS

Dr. Eric Fels experiences Virtually Israel.

JDS alumnus Yitzi Powers and parent Kyle Newfeld compete to see who wore it better.

Chefs Ron Sunshine and Feather Frazier of the Sunshine Café present a delicious Israeli buffet.

Artwork created by Shira Bach, Mollie Lachter and Michaela Bub celebrates Israel.

By Amy Golding JDS Head of School The JDS multipurpose room was overflowing with guests celebrating our Chanukah Israel ArtsFest on Sunday, Dec. 9. This was the kick-off event of our Israel Community Impact Grant (iCIG) with funding from the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley. The goal of our iCIG is to create thematic community programs to promote Israel education beyond the classroom. The programs explore diversity of people, narratives and cultures, and become the framework of the story of the Jewish people, connecting our JDS families and community to Am Yisrael.

“It was very special to experience the warm, family atmosphere at the Chanukah party tonight,” said Dr. Carol Bub Fromer, as generations came together on the last night of Chanukah. We had the unique opportunity to taste homemade Israeli food made by Ron Sunshine and Feather Frazier of The Sunshine Café fame. The menu included: sabich, shakshuka, falafel, hummus, tahini, feta olive salad, zucchini radish salad and shug.

We partnered with Virtually Israel, a virtual reality experience (360-degrees, hi-def videos) which uses cuttingedge technology to bring Israel to life without flying across the globe. Guests toured the Bible Land Museum, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Independence Hall, Sarona Market, and a Tel Aviv Balloon Ride to name a few.

Students’ original artwork and interpretations of the beauty of Israel filled the space. Music was curated by our special guest DJ, Rotem Bar, the community shlicha.

Guests were also able to purchase last minute Chanukah gifts, including two new books written by parents at the JDS: “Redemption (The Spades Trilogy), Volume 1” by Mike Schlossberg and “Making Judaism Safe for America: World War I and the Origins of Religious Pluralism” by Jessica Cooperman. Also on sale was a JDS Cookbook featuring favorite Israeli recipes.

The evening concluded with sufganiyot (donut) decorating courtesy of Weis Supermarket. This was a Chanukah celebration like never seen – or tasted – before!

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JANUARY 2019 7

IN HONOR LINDSEY & JOSEPH BORGESE Happy holidays Selma Roth GENE & ANN GINSBERG Honor of granddaughter Lilly’s Bat Mitzvah Mark & Lynne Shampain SANDRA GOLDFARB Speedy recovery Vicki Wax MARTHA & RON KAHAN Engagement of their son, Alex Lynda & Richard Somach PAULA & STEVE KAUNITZ Happy holidays Selma Roth EVA & LARRY LEVITT Mazel tov on JDS honor Ross & Wendy Born Lynda & Richard Somach LINDA & MIKE MILLER Bar Mitzvah of grandson Ross & Wendy Born RABBI SETH PHILLIPS Speedy recovery Vicki Wax RABBI MOSHE & ADINA RE’EM Honor of their son’s engagement Vicki Wax LARRIE & JUDY SHEFTEL Birth of grandson Carol & Stewart Furmansky RUTH SHEFTEL Happy "special" birthday Lynda & Richard Somach

RABBI MICHAEL & ALEXIS SINGER Bar Mitzvah of their son, Mordechai Ross & Wendy Born RICHARD STEIN Happy "special" birthday Lynda & Richard Somach DAVID WIENER Happy holidays Selma Roth JERI & LEN ZIMMERMAN Birth of granddaughter, Maya Ross & Wendy Born Vicki Wax LEON & DEBBIE ZOLLER Birth of grandson, Murray Joshua Lipsman Ross & Wendy Born IN MEMORY FLORENCE BRODMAN (Sister of Leah Devine) Ross & Wendy Born Adam & Penny Roth Selma Roth Vicki Wax LIBBY GLASS (Sister of Gloria Ginsburg, mother of Linda Hamilton and Rochelle Lower, grandmother of Jeff Koch and Robin Roberts) Allentown BBYO Ross & Wendy Born Beth & Wesley Kozinn Suzanne Lapiduss & Family Adam & Penny Roth Vicki Wax

MARK GOLDSTEIN (Husband of Shari Spark) Heidi & Ron Addlestone Joan Brody Deanne & Arnold Kaplan Beth & Wes Kozinn Dr. & Mrs. Michael Ringold Brian & Fae Safer Richard & Cherie Zettlemoyer GLORIA GORDON (Wife of Harvey Gordon, Mother of Jonathan Gordon) Joan Brody Ross & Wendy Born Taffi Ney JULIUS JACOBS (Father of Joe Jacobs) Beth & Wes Kozinn CAROLE KLIONSKY (Mother of Frank Tamarkin) Judy Alperin Ross & Wendy Born Sam & Sylvia Bub Roberto & Eileen Fischmann Jay & Fran Fisher Lisa & Barnet Fraenkel Karl & Sara Glassman Beth & Wesley Kozinn Suzanne Lapiduss & Family The Rabin Family The Ringold Family Donald & Randi Senderowitz Darren & Stefanie Traub EVELYN MARKSON (Mother of Bill Markson) Karen Dacey Alyssa & Mark Emswiler Carol & Stewart Furmansky Tracy & Robert Grob Marc Nissenbaum Ed Nissenbaum Donald Senderowitz Vicki Wax

ALVIN MISHKIN (Father of Carol Furmansky and Mark Mishkin) Lynda & Richard Somach PATTI MITTLEMAN (Wife of Rabbi Alan Mittleman, sister of Maureen McGinty, mother of Ari Mittleman) Ross & Wendy Born Roberto & Eileen Fischmann SEPTA Family Donald Senderowitz Vicki Wax ROBERT MOLKO (Father of Joy Solomon) Michael & Rita Bloom NORMA NEFF (Mother of Amy Citarella) Lisa & Barnet Fraenkel Ruth Sheftel ALEX SERA (Father of Temple Coldren) Wendy & Ross Born Jeri & Len Zimmerman Bobby & Bonnie Hammel Vicki Wax ADELE STERNBERG (Mother of Marcy Reichgott) Ross & Wendy Born Gary Harris (Mother of Ellie Sternberg) Janet Levin BARBARA VOSK (Grandmother of Stephanie Smartschan) Ross & Wendy Born Jeri & Len Zimmerman Chelsea & Elliot Busch LOUISE WEINSTEIN (Sister of Myra St. John) Lynda & Richard Somach

HELEN AND SOL KRAWITZ HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL FUND IN HONOR SANDY & HAROLD KRAWITZ Honor of granddaughter Olivia’s Bat Mitzvah Lynda & Stuart Krawitz LAURIE & BUDDY LESAVOY Birth of granddaughter, Drew Lynda & Stuart Krawitz LARRIE & JUDY SHEFTEL Birth of grandson, Logan Lynda & Stuart Krawitz LESLIE & MICHAEL SHEFTEL Birth of granddaughter Joani Lesavoy IN MEMORY LEON DUBIN (Husband of Elayne Dubin) Joani Lesavoy LIBBY GLASS (Sister of Gloria Ginsburg) Lynda & Stuart Krawitz Joani Lesavoy EVELYN MARKSON (Mother of Bill Markson) Lynda & Stuart Krawitz NORMA NEFF (Mother of Amy Citarella) Lynda & Stuart Krawitz Joani Lesavoy We gratefully acknowledge those individuals who have offered expressions of friendship through recent gifts to the Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation. The minimum contribution for an Endowment Card is $10. Call 610-821-5500 or visit www.jewishlehighvalley. org to place your card requests.

Thank you for your continued support.

Live Long. Pay Less.

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8 JANUARY 2019 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

COMMUNITY SHLICHA BRINGS ISRAEL TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Kutztown school cultural day features Judaism and Israel

By Stephanie Bolmer HAKOL Editor “Who here has heard of Israel?” community shlicha Rotem Bar asked classroom after classroom of seventh-graders at Kutztown Area Middle School on the morning of Friday, Nov. 30. The school hosted a “Cultural Day: Celebrating the Religions of the World,” and Bar was one of two speakers invited to teach the children about Judaism. There were also Christian and Muslim presenters to round out the morning.

While almost all of the students had indeed heard of Israel and knew where it was, Bar still had a lot to teach them.

Starting off with explaining who the people of Israel are and the great diver-

sity there, she went on to tell of her time in the Israel Defense Forces. “I know I don’t look like a soldier,” said Bar, before explaining the history of the state of Israel and its unique military structure.

Another new concept Bar introduced to the middle-schoolers was that of Israel being a “start-up nation,” listing the many technological giants who have subsidiaries in Israel, such as Google, IBM, Apple and Microsoft. “The USB drive I am using right now to show you this presentation was invented in Israel,” Bar told students.

Then, it was time for the real fun to begin. Space had been cleared in the center of the classroom to make room for a traditional Israeli folk dance. After starting a video of a dance instructor calling out the steps, Bar joined the circle to lead the students (and teachers) in a rhythmic dance. Having them all joining hands, clapping, and raising hands as they met in the middle of the circle was an exciting and memorable end to the presentation.

Bar followed up by answering questions on topics ranging from the origins of the dance to kosher food to how united Israeli society really feels. “This is a part of why I’m here. I’m here to engage the Jewish community to Israel and to really feel like we’re one united people.”

Roosevelt Elementary showcases Israeli Chanukah traditions

By Stephanie Bolmer HAKOL Editor Room 116 of Roosevelt Elementary School was transformed from a kindergarten classroom into a Chanukah wonderland on the evening of Dec. 5. Dozens of menorahs and dreidels decorated the space as part of the Allentown school’s annual holiday showcase, “Winter Celebration: Holidays Around the World,” open to students and their families to learn winter holiday traditions from several different countries.

When Chelsea Karp, volunteer coordinator of Jewish Family Service, was invited to represent Israel, she in turn invited community shlicha Rotem Bar to join her in teaching the children about Chanukah and how it is celebrated in Bar’s native land. Together, they set up an immersive experience as part of the night that also featured activities from Russia, Greece, Pakistan, Syria, Puerto Rico, the United States, and the Celtic region, which over 330 people from the Allentown area attended.

In the Israel room, Karp greeted the young visitors.

“Come meet my friend Rotem!” she told them as she led them inside. “She’s from Israel!” At the first station, guests were asked “What is the light of your life?” for an interactive poster filled with construction paper candles. “Family” was the number 1 answer that the children wrote in. Then, the symbolism of the colorful menorahs, dreidels and gelt on display at

the next table was explained.

Following this, Bar gave a short presentation showing visitors where Israel is on the map and telling the story of Judah Macabee. She also educated the crowd on the traditions of Chanukah—everyone was very interested in the doughnuts but less impressed to hear that receiving gifts is not the prevailing custom in Israel.

Then, Bar and Karp passed out papers printed with the prayers they were about to sing so that the families could see

what Hebrew writing looks like.

As they sang, they lit up four of the bulbs on an electric menorah for the fourth night of Chanukah.

Last but not least was a dance lesson. Following the steps from a video, Bar and Karp led the children in stepping and clapping along in a circle to Hebrew music for an Israeli folk dance. After that, everyone was offered a jelly-filled doughnut hole on their way to the next country and wished a “Chag Sameach!”

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JANUARY 2019 9

A healthy mind in a healthy body In the aftermath of Pittsburgh, how might a Jewish concern for the health of the body politic be expressed?

I was moved by the following call to action adapted from remarks delivered by Elisha Wiesel, the only son of Eli Weiesel, at the Ansche Chesed community vigil on Oct. 27, 2018:

RABBI SETH PHILLIPS Congregation Keneseth Israel It is well known that losing weight and getting fit are the top two New Year’s resolutions.

From paleo to pilates, there are many secular prescriptions for individual wellbeing.

Not coincidentally, this issue of HAKOL offers many possibilities for health and wellness!

Judaism certainly endorses mens sano in corpo sano. The warrant for that is less the laws of Kashrut (after all, Oreos are kosher) than these verses from Psalm 35:9-10, “And my soul shall be joyful in HaShem…. All my bones shall say, ‘HaShem, who is like You?’”

How to respond to unspeakable tragedy? And I think to myself: How would my father respond?

He didn’t fight or lower himself into the muck with those who had only nasty things to say.

He didn’t debate Holocaust deniers, or right-wing nationalists, or anti-Zionists whose total preoccupation with Israel exposed them as anti-Semites.

He showed up. He shone a light.

He became a light, by how he lived.

He was kind and gentle to others. He listened. He spoke. He put questions to those who needed to hear them. And he lived as a Jew. Which is what we can say about our brothers and sisters in Pittsburgh. They lived and died as Jews, davening (praying) on Shabbos …

We as Jews have survived for thousands of years and have tens of thousands of opinions. How will we work together to confront hatred when we disagree on so many things? We will work together because our disagreements are how we will make progress. Because those disagreements put us in positions to fix different things.

If you march for progressive values, then it is your prerogative and your responsibility to fix the progressive left. Those shouting from across the aisle of social media will never achieve that, but you can. You are associated with movements whose leaders declare that supporting women’s rights and the rights of our AfricanAmerican brothers and sisters to not be terrorized by the police are inextricably linked with the fight against a safe and secure Jewish homeland, movements where the Magen David (Star of David) is barred from Pride parades.

Fight that anti-Semitism, and do it without compromising for an instant on seeking for this to be a country that is blind to skin color, sexual orientation or gender.

If you are on the conservative side of policy, then it is your prerogative and your responsibility to, for God’s sake, fix the nationalist right. Those shouting from across the aisle of social media will never achieve that, but you can. You are associated with movements where assault rifles are seen as our national inheritance, where racists hear a call to action even as leaders insist none has gone out, where the trait of compassion for the stranger is in danger of being extinguished – even as the challenges of how and for whom to create paths to citizenship cry out for creativity and collaboration. Fight that deaf ear and that cold-heartedness, and do it without compromising for an instant on seeking for this to be a country that is secure and

prosperous.

And if you somehow find yourself caught in the center – God help you, then expect hatred from all corners – but it is your prerogative and your responsibility to build bridges and create spaces where well-meaning and thoughtful people can come together to find solutions.

Make this world better exactly where you find yourself in it. Do so precisely where you are in your politics, where you are in your faith … And make this world better where you are in your everyday life.

Show your children that you are

committed to Jewish values. Observe one more mitzvah (good deed). Talk to one more person whom you are tempted to yell at. And go to shul (synagogue) next Shabbos and keep those values alive.

Jews have often functioned as a canary in the coalmine. When a society turns on its Jews, it is usually a sign of wider ill health. This 2019, exorcise the demons in the body politic by strengthening your civic courage and civility.

God bless America! Am Yisrael Chai!

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The story of KI’s Czech Torah

By Martina Obenski Special to HAKOL This is a love story – one that tells the story of the largest Torah in our Ark. Originally confiscated from Sedlcany, Czechoslovakia, during World War II, it is part of an historic collection from “The Precious Legacy” - Judaic treasures saved from an embattled Czechoslovakian culture after the Nazi occupation.

You may know that Sedlcany, a town in the central Bohemian region, is famous for its cheese called Hermelin, a style which imitates Camembert; but what you may not know is that few Jewish families lived, or were welcome, in this small region of silver and gold mines. As a result of the political reforms following the 1848 populist revolt, Jewish traders started to settle in larger numbers and, in 1888, Sedlcany Jews established their first independent Jewish community.

Shortly thereafter in 1893, they were joined by the dwindling Jewish population of nearby Kosovo Hora and started a prayer group. Kosovo Hora brought with them their Torahs, including Rabbi Shmuel’s 50-year-old Scroll (also known as the Woodacre Torah, which now resides in California).

As the little Czechoslovakian congregation grew in numbers, it needed a synagogue and purchased an existing building, which was then a combination hotel-restaurant. The largest of the rooms was converted to a sanctuary and until 1939, was

used for both services and as a center for Jewish community life.

Around the same time, however, the Jewish population in surrounding villages was falling and as their houses of worship closed down, their Scrolls were brought to Sedlcany. Thus, despite the small number of congregants, Sedlcany had a relatively large number of Scrolls.

Although numerous Jewish possessions were destroyed during the Holocaust, the Torah in our Ark, along with 1,564 other Torah scrolls of shattered Jewish communities in Czechoslovakia, survived and became part of the Czech Memorial Scroll Collection in the Prague Central Museum.

The collection was transferred to the Westminster Synagogue in London in 1964, and a Memorial Scroll Committee was established in London where these Scrolls were catalogued, repaired and restored. Once repaired, each Torah was given a numbered brass plaque to identify its origin and were then sent to fulfill requests of synagogues all over the world.

The Memorial Scroll Committee certified that KI’s Scroll #1354 (Prague Central Museum #5254) was saved from the Nazis in Sedlcany, Czechoslovakia, and has been on permanent loan to Congregation Keneseth Israel since March 1988 when then-members Abraham and Nancy Ross facilitated obtaining the Scroll for the occasion of their son David’s bar mitzvah.

In 1991, to honor their

Torahs Continues from page 3

daughter Debra’s bat mitzvah, artist Elsa Wach was commissioned to custom make the cover which dresses our Torah to this day. Its design depicts arms, clothed in prison garb, reaching up in despair.

While Debra’s grandparents, Jacob and Sara Ross, were Holocaust survivors, the number 33076 on the arm is Debra’s great aunt Sara Zuchowicki’s tattoo number from the Auschwitz concentration camp. The hands are filled with yearning and tension, symbolizing the courage of individuals reaching for G-d.

The Hebrew letters forming the words Am Yisrael Chai also

reach up to G-d proclaiming that in spite of it all, the people of Israel live. The rosebuds at the top symbolize life, hope and beauty affirming that our people will continue to be a light.

This particular Torah is read frequently at Shabbat and throughout the year. Many of its truths shine forth and bring light to our people as it is marched around the congregation. Although flanked by three other Scrolls, this Sefer Torah stands as a loving memorial to the six million who perished needlessly and will forever serve as a constant reminder that we shall never forget.

Czechoslovakia provided

by Roberto Fischmann. The display will also include text panels and stories regarding the Torahs and the towns they came from, as well as other Judaica items specific to preWWII Europe.

On Feb. 8, Jeffrey Ohrenstein, chairman of the Memorial Scrolls Trust, will visit Allentown. He will present at a Lunch & Learn talking about five of their rescued Torahs and how they came to now be in the Lehigh Valley, including the one at Sons of Israel as well as scrolls at Congregation Brith Sholom, Congregation Keneseth Isarel, Temple Beth El and the Jewish Day School. The program is sponsored by the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley and is open to all.

To register for the Lunch & Learn with Jeffrey Ohrenstein on Feb. 8, call the Jewish Federation at 610-821-5500 or e-mail mailbox@jflv.org. $12 for lunch and program.

Tree of Life Continues from page 1

each bag. Beth Kushnick was in charge of taking and shipping orders. Ilene Ringold and Stefanie Traub took orders and helped with packaging, along with Sara-Jane Bub. Amy Fels and Ellen Gordon worked on delivery.

Kira Bub and Chelsea Karp wrote a press release for the media. Iris Epstein served as group treasurer.

Wiener, Rabin and Kushnick started the “Branches of Love Initiative” Facebook group, which already has more than 600 likes.

“We felt like with this necklace, it became so much more than just raising money,” Wiener said. “It was the way it touched the people.”

They received orders from all across the world, including from the daughter and daughter-in-law of Rose Mallinger, the 97-yearold woman who was killed in the shooting. Rose’s daughter, Andrea, was also injured in the shooting, and ordered the necklaces to give to those who cared for her in the hospital.

The group received hundreds of letters from people thanking them, along with photos of themselves wearing the necklaces. ”We weren’t thanking people for buying the necklaces, people were thanking us for allowing them to buy it from us,” Wiener said.

In just about a month, they had officially “sold out” at 3,600 necklaces.

While the necklace sales may be over, the initiative is far from it, Wiener and Rabin said.

In January, the group is hoping to travel to Pittsburgh and attend a service at the Tree of Life

Synagogue where they can present a check for the funds raised.

After that, they plan to use their platform to continue to fight hate and promote tolerance wherever possible, whether that means pushing for businesses that support Israel or lobbying for better Holocaust education in public schools with the help of group member Fay Kun, a second generation survivor who has worked closely with the Institute for Jewish-Christian Understanding’s Youth & Prejudice Workshops.

Rabin draws on the experiences of her grandparents, Holocaust survivors, as motivation. “They didn’t fight for their lives so we could just sit back and let our religion fade,” she said. “We have to fight just as they did to save ourselves and to save our children.”

“They fought for our freedom and now we have to fight for their legacy,” Wiener said.

While this tragedy hit particularly close to home, Wiener and Rabin are proud to know that their “little mom group” could really make a difference.

“We turned one act of hate into 3,600 acts of love,” Wiener said.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JANUARY 2019 15

Five teams compete for latke dominance

Above, judges Josh Rultenberg, Selena Robinson and Cristian Gonzalez.

Below left, Levivotke’s Galit Cohen and Mike Schlossberg.

Below right, emcee “Bowtie Ben” Youngerman working the audience.

Chop It Like It’s Hot: Dana Cohen, Caren Lowrey, Kim Valuntas, Carol Wilson and Rachel Shurman.

By Stephanie Smartschan JFLV Director of Marketing Five teams battled it out at the second annual LatkeVodka Hanukkah Cook-Off at the JCC on Dec. 13, 2018.

Showcasing flavors from around the world -- Thailand to Israel, the Southwest to the Midwest -- the teams each created their best version of a traditional potato pancake along with a vodka-based drink to pair with it.

The teams each presented

their dishes to an esteemed panel of judges: Josh Rultenberg, reporter from WFMZ, Selena Robinson, morning show host from 100.7 WLEV, and Cristian Gonzalez, executive chef at The Shelby.

The audience taste-testers also had a chance to vote for their favorites before a winner was crowned.

With their Southwest Southpaw latke featuring chipotle corn and mango salsa, complimented by a mango martini with a spicy

cinnamon rim, team Latkey Balboa came out on top.

The winning team received championship aprons along with passes to the Crayola Experience, courtesy of Crayola and made possible by event sponsor WLEV. Sponsor Whole Foods generously provided all of the basic latke ingredients, along with gift cards for each team to buy specialty ingredients that made their latkes stand out.

Just before the competition, Steve Mittman, traffic anchor for WFMZ, took a look behind the scenes, interviewing each of the teams as they prepared for the competition.

Emcee “Bowtie Ben” Youngerman kept the crowd engaged, seeking feedback from around the room and engaging in some fun vodkabased trivia while the crowd waited for the votes to be tabulated.

All of the cooking was supervised in the JCC kitchen

by Amy Fisher from the Lehigh Valley Kashrut Commission, who ensured that the whole community could enjoy the prepared dishes.

The event was sponsored by the Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley and the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s Young Adult Division.

For videos from each team and more photos, check out the Latke-Vodka Hanukkah CookOff Facebook event.

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Latkey Balboa’s winning recipes

PHOTO BY HARRY FISHER

Lisa and Jan Kaplan enjoy their spicy mango martinis from Latkey Balboa.

The Southpaw Latke

7 large Russet potatoes peeled & shredded 1 large sweet potato peeled & shredded 1 large onion shredded 3 eggs 1/2 cup matzah meal Cumin to taste Coriander to taste Chili powder to taste Chipotle powder to taste Salt Pepper Combine top five ingredients in a large bowl. Before seasoning, squeeze out the water with your hands and then soak up any leftover liquid with paper towels. Add about half-teaspoon size dollops of mixture to hot pan with canola oil. Fry until nice and crispy. Makes about 20 latkes.

Mango Salsa PHOTO BY HARRY FISHER

1 red pepper diced 1 orange pepper diced 10 cocktail tomatoes diced 8 small chives diced 1 mango diced (firm-not too ripe)

but it means a lot to both of us.

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1 bag of frozen sweet corn 1/2 stick of butter 1 tbsp. chipotle powder or more if you like it spicy

Chipotle Cream Sauce

1 container sour cream 1 cup mayo (Kraft) Approximately 1/2 teaspoon each (or lots more for taste) of: cumin coriander chili powder chipotle powder salt pepper

Spicy Mango Martini 1 part vodka 1 part McCormicks mango margarita mix Mix 1 tbsp each: chili powder cayenne powder cinnamon Add 2 tbsp. sugar

Rim the glass with light agave syrup and dip into seasonings

Me Latke What You Latke: Ron Sunshine, Brig Boonswang, Feather Frazier, Naomi Schachter and Danielle Bynum from the Jewish Day School.

It’s just a cup of coffee...

Corn Garnish

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PMS 118

PMS 119

PMS 3435

Religious school students perform mitzvot

Ha’achalat Re’evim: “feeding the hungry.” Students make taco casseroles and brownies for the Allentown Soup Kitchen.

Hiddur Pinnei Zaken: “honoring the elderly.” A craft station includes bookmarks, doorhangers, magnets and challah covers to include in Shabbat Angel packages to be delivered to elderly congregants.

By Alicia Zahn Temple Beth El On the seventh day of Chanukah, students from Temple Beth El, Congregation Keneseth Israel and Congregation Brith Sholom, along with members of each of these congregations, came together to observe all kinds of mitzvot on Mitzvah Morning.

Everyone got the opportunity to learn about the “good deed” kind of mitzvah, as well as the ritual kind of mitzvah. Adults also got to learn about Gift of Life organ donation from an organ recipient and had the opportunity to donate blood in the Miller-Keystone Blood Mobile.

The fun part was that everyone didn’t just learn about mitzvot, they did them! We helped spread the light of Chanukah by helping our own Jewish community, our wider local community, Jews in Israel, and more!

Kol Yisrael Aravim Zeh Bazeh: "All Israel is responsible for one another.” Students write letters of thanks to lone soldiers who come from all around the world to defend Israel and the Jewish people.

New year of school twinning kicks off at JDS

By Joseph Ringel Jewish Day School The Allentown-Yoav twinning program is part of a

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broader project that pairs the Jewish community of Allentown with the residents of the Yoav region in Israel in order to foster connections between Israeli and diaspora Jewish communities. The Jewish Day School is proud to be one of the leading institutions involved in this endeavor. Over the last few years, we have fostered personal relationships between upper elementary and middle school JDS students and middle school students at the Sdot Yoav school.

We just completed the first twinning activity of the year with the Sdot Yoav school before Chanukah. The activity began by introducing the students of both schools to each other. Each student was assigned a “pen pal” with whom he or she would cor-

respond, and they were able to “virtually” meet each other through Google Hangouts.

The JDS fifth graders were able to practice their Hebrew (and impress their Israeli peers!) by performing Liora’s 1990’s hit song “Amen,” and the kids from Sdot Yoav sang Bruno Mars’ “Count on Me.” The performances were very well-received, with students from both schools slowly joining in and singing with the performers.

The program’s climax was a Quizlet game in which questions about Sdot Yoav and the JDS were posed to students in each school, and the students had a lot of fun competing while learning about each other’s communities. We look forward to participating in future activities with the kids at Sdot Yoav!

Shalom, Lehigh Valley, from your partners in Yoav, Israel

By Nurit Grossman Partnership2Gether First, we are thrilled to be contributors to HAKOL, and we hope to be regular contributors.

We have so much to tell you about the Yoav community and will also be happy to answer any questions you may have. You should know that your influence, care and support are felt through Partnership projects such as “Under the Same Moon” in which children from our elementary schools and yours communicate through the exchange of letters and videos and meeting people from each others’ communities.

The farewell party for Cynthia (the Yoav chairperson for our Partnership) and at the same time the welcome party for Hanna, the new chairperson, took place at a Partnership project of building a Taboon (outdoor oven) for the whole community. Needless to say, the pizzas and pitas were great, and you are all invited to come and taste for yourselves!

Imagine music played by another group supported by the Partnership in the background.

The music center in Tzafit High School, the Partnership Park next to Moshav Nahala where you plant trees, and which we plan to dedicate to Mark Goldstein—and the list of projects that connect us goes on and on.

Just recently, after years of meetings, planning and struggles with the various government departments, the new Yoav– Kiryat Malachi railway was opened 10 minutes away from Kibbutz Kfar Menachem. The railway is really important, making it possible for Yoav inhabitants to commute to work and to get easily to all parts of the country. Kudos especially to the mayor, Dr. Matti Sarfatti Harcavi (who was the first chairman of the Yoav- Lehigh Valley Partnership).

During the summer, the Youth Department of the Yoav Community Centre organizes day camps throughout the region. The camp has a long-cherished plan to bring over counselors from the Lehigh Valley next year who will be leaders at the camps and then take part in a special program with our young people of their age.

The “jewel in the crown” of our Partnership is the ongoing sending of four youth leaders from Yoav to Camp JCC. In addition to bringing the taste of Israel and Yoav to the camp, our young people are adopted by Lehigh Valley families and the connections immediately spread to include the Israeli families as well.

How can we not mention the Yoav Bible Festival, an annual

summer event that takes place in the Beit Guvrin amphitheater and caves, with appearances by some of the biggest performers in Israel and attended by people from all over Israel and many guests from abroad?

The summer ended with Shavuoth activities, a triathlon and welcoming in the New Year.

Unfortunately, our region, as part of the southern area not far from the Gaza strip, had a taste of opening up our shelters and listening for the warning sirens. A number of our shelters were renovated after a visit by Mark Goldstein during the Tzuk Eitan operation (Protective Edge) some years ago. Compared to the residents of the communities around the Gaza strip for whom sirens and tension have to be dealt with daily, the crisis lasted only for a few days but was enough to remind us of the precariousness of the peace – or non-hostilities – in which we live.

But now as I am writing, it is Chanukah! Let there be lights! And what a pleasure it is to celebrate the victory of the Maccabees, the miracle of the oil lasting eight days, and to share with Jews everywhere the pride that in spite of everything, the Jewish People have survived and progressed!

The taste of the doughnuts (a Chanukah delicacy here in Israel) and the latkes, the spinning of the dreidels, and the children’s delight in the Chanukah gelt!

Though from a physical distance, we take a vicarious delight in the wealth of Chanukah activities in Lehigh Valley which we read about in your paper and news bulletins, and during our parties and celebrations, we raise a toast to you!

The Lehigh Valley Jewish Federation mission arrived in Yoav, bringing with it the welcome rain so desperately needed. Led by old friends of the Partnership, Jeri Zimmerman and Eva Levitt, the mission included other friends such as Vicki Wax, and all were welcomed with a Chanukah lighting ceremony at Kibbutz Beit Guvrin and then met up with members of the Yoav Steering Committee at the home of a wonderful lady from Kurdistan (as it then was) who cooked a variety of tasty and interesting Kurdish foods. A very enjoyable—if all too short!— gathering between representatives of our two communities! Here's to the next time! We look forward to hosting the next Lehigh Valley Jewish Federation mission.

From the Yoav community here in Israel to our partners in the Lehigh Valley – shalom and (a belated) Chag Chanukah Sameach!

The vegan scene in Tel Aviv

By Rotem Bar Community Schlicha Tel Aviv happens to be my favorite city in the world and has been a home to me for three and a half years. Even after traveling the world as an El-Al flight attendant, I still think Tel Aviv is the best place to be and for sure the best place to eat!

If you have been to Tel Aviv in the last few years, I'm sure you have noticed the wide culinary experience that this city has to offer. From tiny booths on Rothschild Boulevard to traditional Yemenite food in “Kerem Hatemanim” to authentic restaurants at Shuk Hacarmel or Sarona Market. Europeanstyle cafes with a local twist, high-class restaurants, and really any kind of ethnic food you have been dreaming of— you name it, Tel Aviv has it!

The vegan “revolution” and health trends that have been sweeping the world didn’t pass my beloved Tel Aviv by. In fact, Tel Aviv is the city with the largest percentage of vegans in the world, and therefore, it has become super vegan-friendly. It has become so vegan-friendly that there are over 400 vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants in the city. Even well-known chains have added vegan options to their menus. For

example, Dominos offers a vegan pizza for their Israeli pizza-loving vegans.

Now, I know that to all of you meat lovers, vegan food doesn’t sound so appealing.

But trust me, the fresh produce and ingredients in Israel alongside the hip, innovative feel of the city brought by amazing chefs and cultures make vegan food in Tel Aviv

the best vegan food you will ever have.

So next time you're in the city, stop by places like “Anastacia” and “Meshek Barzilay.” Have a fresh fruit shake on the beach or try the tasty cauliflower in a pita at “Hamiznon.” Try the vegan options that the city has to offer you; I promise you will love it!

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JANUARY 2019 19

Local synagogues remembered by new book

Book Review: ‘Almost Autumn’

By Stephanie Bolmer HAKOL Editor

By Sean Boyle JDS Librarian

Do you remember what Temple Beth El looked like before it was on Springhouse Road?

Did you know that what is now a science lab at Lehigh University was once a Jewish community center where Congregation Brith Sholom met?

What else do you recall about other buildings from the history of the Lehigh Valley Jewish community that have been forgotten or demolished?

Your memory may be jogged by a new book, “The Synagogues of Eastern Pennsylvania: A Visual Journey”

by Julian Preisler. Preisler is a researcher, author and documentarian currently living in West Virginia who has made it his mission to capture the past.

With both of his parents as well as his grandparents surviving the Holocaust, Preisler felt a strong call to historical preservation. “The whole aspect of being the child of survivors really drew me to history and making sure it’s recorded,” said Preisler.

He believes that oftentimes there is a fluidity in Jewish communities, with neighborhoods changing and pictures

In “Almost Autumn,” we meet fifteen-year-old Ilse Stern as she waits in the cold October evening, wearing only a summer dress, for a movie date with her neighbor, Hermann Rod. She thinks Hermann is standing her up for another girl, and that he is possibly lying about spending his private time learning how to paint. She is only half-correct; Hermann is lying because he is actually part of the Norwegian underground and helps with sabotaging the Nazi control of Norway.

Kaurin’s historical fiction novel about the Norwegian Jews in World War II is similar to the 1990 Newbery Award winning book, “Number the Stars,” by Lois Lowry. We discover the hardships of living under Nazi rule and the anti-Semitism of the locals working for the Nazis, and we learn about secret underground agents helping Jews escape. While Lowry focuses on Denmark’s great success helping the majority of Danish Jews escape, Kaurin tells of the little-known tragedy of the Norwegian Jews.

Kaurin, using alternating narrators, tells the stories of the occupants of one Oslo apartment building as they react to being under Nazi rule.

The Norwegian Jewish males were arrested in mass in the early morning hours of Oct. 26, 1942. The elderly, women and children who had not escaped to Sweden were arrested on Nov. 26, 1942, the day of the forced deportation. These family members were united prior to boarding the German ship

not being taken of what was as people look forward to what is and what will be in the future.

“Even if you can’t save a building, you should document it with photographs,” said Preisler of his work. He believes that this honors a congregation’s history and the people who have dedicated their lives to it.

The new book is a companion to a past project which covered the synagogues of western and central Pennsylvania, now focusing on the eastern part of the state. Anyone with roots in the Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia, or the

surrounding areas is sure to be intrigued by the photographs and extensive research included with them. It was a labor of love for Preisler, who has been interested in synagogue architecture for a long time.

“I guess it probably started around the time of my bar mitzvah in Columbus, Ohio. [The congregation] was in a relatively new building and had a photograph of their old building on the walls of the temple. I made my parents drive around looking for it, not realizing that it had been torn down many years before,” said Preisler, describing the spark that eventually flamed into a lifelong career.

Copies of this and other books

by Preisler on Jewish architecture, history and genealogy are available on Amazon, or can be purchased with an author’s signature directly from his website, www.jpreisler.com.

20 JANUARY 2019 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

Danau for Auschwitz. Only nine of the 532 Jews survived.

The reader experiences Oslo of 1942 through the voices of: the Jewish Stern family; their neighbor’s son, Hermann Rod, working in the Norwegian underground; and their upstairs neighbor, Ole Rustad, who is a taxi driver and plays dual roles by arresting the Jews in Oslo and then helping those in hiding escape the Nazis.

Kaurin provides an afterward of her own family’s experience during WWII, and expresses her desire to explore the role “chance” had on who was able to escape the Nazis and those who were systematically rounded up and transported to Auschwitz.

Highly recommended for ages 12-99, and a copy is available at the Jewish Day School Library.

“Almost Autumn” (Kaurin, Marianne, New York, Arthur A. Levine Books, 2017, 288p.) is the English translation of the 2012 Norwegian novel, “Nærmere høst,” written by Marianne Kaurin.

Allentown BBYO says Happy Chanukah!

By Fana Schoen BBG Every year, Allentown BBG and AZA team up for their annual Chanukah party, with each year more fun and exciting than the year before.

In 2017, teens wore their favorite “ugly” Chanukah sweaters and got together at the Allentown JCC to celebrate by making Chanukah houses out of graham crackers, playing dreidel and even reconnecting with some Allentown BBG and Allentown AZA alumni who were home for the holidays. This year, we did much, much more.

When teens arrived on Dec. 4, 2018, they gathered with many members of the Allentown JCC for the community Chanukah party. We stayed for the community

candle lighting, singing some fun Chanukah songs, and (of course) eating lots of latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts). After we had fun seeing all of the excited community members of all ages, we went to have some fun of our own.

Members of Allentown BBYO gathered to decorate Chanukah cookies, eat more latkes and sufganiyot, and catch up since our last events.

Pandora Schoen, a sophomore and Allentown BBG’s s’ganit (vice president of programming) said, “My favorite part was decorating Chanukah cookies because everybody had such a good time making cookies with really cool decorations (or some that just tasted really good).”

Of course, we also played

dreidel and won lots of gelt!

This was a fun event to hold with the two sibling chapters coming together before holiday break.

Allentown BBG’s next event was held on Dec. 18 at our advisor Cori’s house. We held our Jewish Christmas party, a new event for this year! We were all anxious to watch a classic Christmas movie, eat Chinese food, and come together for one last event as a BBG chapter before yet another amazing calendar year in BBYO comes to an end.

If you or someone you know may be interested in joining Allentown BBYO, or if you are interested in learning more about Allentown BBG, Allentown BBYO or BBYO as a whole, contact allentownmazkirah@gmail. com.

AZA forms bonds through service and tradition

By Jake Wiener AZA The middle of the year for Allentown AZA is usually a time full of exciting events and chances for new members to finally get acclimated to the chapter and its members.

There are also many opportunities for the chapter to get involved with volunteering events in the community.

This past December, some of our chapter members had the opportunity to volunteer at the Lehigh Valley Zoo. The members were able to direct people as to where to find different animals and help the staff with various tasks. It was another great way for our chapter members to reach out and help the community.

Every month is always an opportunity to gain new members. In the month of December, New Member Weekend was held as a way for new members to adapt to not only other chapter members, but other teens in the region as well. Older members were able to mentor the new members and teach them about BBYO traditions, conventions and the great opportunities that new members can take part in as a BBYO Liberty Region member.

This past month, AZA also hosted its annual AIT Night.

At this event, new members were formally inducted into the Allentown AZA chapter, and also had time to hang out with fellow chapter members

and learn all about Allentown AZA. One of the upcoming events this March is Tournies.

Tournies is a convention that will be held in Allentown from March 21-23. This convention is a way for chapters in the region to compete in different games and sporting events, such as basketball, gaga, water polo, and more. You do not want to miss out on this event, as it will be a weekend full of fun and activity!

Stay tuned for upcoming news and events. You do not want to miss out! If you have any questions regarding upcoming events or about signing up for BBYO, please contact allentownaza@gmail. com or afraley8626@gmail.com.

Community shlicha Rotem Bar shares her delicious Israeli cooking with friends old and new at the Young Adult Division brunch on Dec. 16.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JANUARY 2019 21

Community Calendar To list an event in the Community Calendar, submit your information on our website, www.jewishlehighvalley.org, under the “Upcoming Events” menu.

All events listed in the Community Calendar are open to the public and free of charge, unless otherwise noted. Programs listed in HAKOL are provided as a service to the community. They do not necessarily reflect the endorsement of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley. The JFLV reserves the right to accept, reject or modify listings.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25 Christmas Day Mitzvah Project 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel.

Let’s express our appreciation to First Responders in Allentown and Emmaus who have to work on Christmas Day by bringing them a hot meal and a note of thanks. Please see the KI website for more details. Sign up available online at www.kilv.org or by calling the office 610-435-9074. Questions? Call Rachel Cubellis at 610-554-7285.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25 Pancake Breakfast 9 to 11:30 a.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley. Join us for our annual pancake breakfast and scrambled egg bar and, new this year, a Camp JCC smores bar.

Families will have time in the pool and a winter craft project and, to top it off, a PJ Library story. $9 per person, JCC members $6, children under 3 free.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30 Camp JCC Reunion 3:30 to 5 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley. Come relive your fondest memories from summer 2018 with friends and staff. Free. To register, please visit or call the JCC Welcome Desk at 610-435-3571 or go online at www. lvjcc.org.

FRIDAYS, JANUARY 4 - FEBRUARY 22 OR SUNDAYS, JANUARY 6 - FEBRUARY 24 Winter Mosaics Class Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. OR Sundays, 9 to 11:30 a.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley. In this 8-week class, you will learn all the skills needed to create your own beautiful mosaics. Participants will learn how to safely handle glass and how to use appropriate glass-cutting tools. All materials are included in this course. Two sessions to choose from. $285 per session, JCC MVP $190. To register, stop by the JCC Welcome Desk, call 610-435-3571 or visit www.lvjcc.org.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6 Maimonides Society Brunch Medical Cannabis: Weeding Out Fact From Fiction 10:15 a.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley. Dr. Bruce Nicholson will weed out fact from fiction about the new possibilities offered by medical cannabis, as well as identifying its limitations. Come to hear a pain expert’s explanation of the previously unexplored endocannabinoid system of the human body and how it can be tapped into to help those suffering from chronic pain and other conditions. Free for Maimonides members and spouses, $10 for community members. RSVP by Jan. 3 to 610-821-5500 or mailbox@jflv.org.

MONDAY, JANUARY 7 Friendship Circle Lunch & Program: Julie Knight, Certified Financial Planner 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley Planning for long-term care with Julie Knight, certified financial planner with Morgan Stanley. Lunch and program $10, $7 Friendship Circle members. First visit to Friendship Circle is free. Special annual membership fee for 2018-19 year: $23. RSVP by calling the Welcome Desk at 610-435-3571 or emailing Amy Sams at asams@lvjcc.org. All adults are welcome to attend Friendship Circle. Lunch and programs are held on Mondays. Visit lvjcc.org/friendshipcircle for program and schedule updates.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 12 Something For Everyone Shabbat 10 a.m., Temple Beth El. A Shabbat program for every age at Temple Beth El. 0-3-year-olds: bring a favorite grown up to BIMBOM BUDDIES. Pre-K-grade 2: enjoy games and stories in KINDERSHUL. Grades 3-6: daven with doughnuts at JUNIOR CONGREGATION. Teens: help lead youth service or visit GPS. Parents and other adults participate in the main service or drop in for our GUIDED PRAYER SERVICE. Everyone comes together for a delicious KIDDUSH LUNCH. Open to the community.

Let’s celebrate Shabbat together at Temple Beth El! 22 JANUARY 2019 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

SUNDAY, JANUARY 13 Jewish Day School Open House 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley. Join us at the JDS Open House to tour our school, meet our teachers, talk with students, and feel the warm vibe! RSVP to sschonbach@jdslv.org or 610437-0721.

MONDAY, JANUARY 14 Friendship Circle Lunch & Program: Get With the Beat! Fun With Drumming and Music 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley.

Presented by Gloria from HealthRhythms. Lunch and program $10, $7 Friendship Circle members.

TUESDAYS, JANUARY 15, 22 & 29 Feasting, Fasting and Tradition 6 p.m., Congregation Brith Sholom. A three-week series presented by Rabbi Allen Juda, rabbi emeritus.

Teachings will be followed by Biblically-inspired food preparation and meal led by Jannie Kay, bachelor of arts in nutrition. Snow date Feb. 5. Registration required

by Jan. 3. Materials fee: $30. For more information, contact Tammy at 610-866-8009.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18 New England Shabbat Dinner 6 p.m., Congregation Brith Sholom. Enjoy the warmth of our community and indulge in a dinner with many delicious flavors you are sure to love. Make your reservations by 12 p.m. on Jan. 11, 2019 (reservations are required). The price is $15 per adult or become a patron for $20; $5 per child between the ages of 5 -13; no charge for children under 5 with maximum family charge of $45. Please pay in advance.

Make out checks to “CBS - Shabbat Dinners.” Late reservations or “at the door” price is $18 per person.

Call Tammy at 610-866-8009 for reservations and more information. For those that need transportation, please contact Tammy.

the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign and participate in mitzvah projects. Calls will take place in two shifts: 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the JCC. Breakfast and dinner will be provided and each volunteer will receive a free T-shirt. Mitzvah project volunteers will cook and deliver kosher meals for older adults in the community. Cooking begins at 11:30 a.m. in the JCC kitchen, in partnership with Jewish Family Service. Packing and delivery begins at 2 p.m. PJ Library and PJ Our Way families are invited to join in the action at 10:30 a.m. for a fun and educational program. The Parkland High School Jr. NAD Club will be on hand to teach the children sign language to accompany the PJ book “The Mitten String.” There will be snacks, crafts and free T-shirts for the first 50 kids. To learn more or sign up now, visit www.jewishlehighvalley.org/supersunday.

MONDAY, JANUARY 28 Friendship Circle Lunch & Program: Paint and Create 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley. Paint and create with Kristina Cole, owner of Paint of Mind LLC. Create a 12X16 masterpiece to take home.

Just bring your creative mind, and be ready to relax and be entertained. No experience needed. Lunch and program $10, $7 Friendship Circle members.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30 Back to Camp Info Night 7 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley. The JCC of the Lehigh Valley is your one-stop shop to fully customize your summer experience! Pick and choose from a variety of summer programming, from our traditional summer day camp located on 55 acres in Center Valley, All-Star Sports Camps, J-Voyage Travel Camp, and our Specialty Day Camp programs located at the JCC building in Allentown. Cool summers start here. Contact Mike Smith at msmith@lvjcc.org to learn more.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 19 Dip N Disco 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley. Grab your swimsuit and your best dance moves and bring your family and friends for a swim party at the J. This event is sure to be a hit! Why? Because there’s nothing better than swimming, dancing, and eating ice cream! Ages 8 plus. New this year: Babysitting will be available for kids ages 3 - 8. Must pre-register for babysitting with Sheryl Block at 610-435-3571 or sblock@lvjcc.org.

Price: $30, JCC MVP $20.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2 Help Stock the Pots Fundraiser 7 p.m., Congregation Brith Sholom. A night of music and noshing. Cost: $20 per person.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20 Tu B’Shevat Painting of the Trees 1 to 3 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley. Celebrate Tu B’Shevat by painting a canvas of colorful trees with your child. Top the afternoon off with a snack and PJ Library story. Ages: 5-12. Price: $30 per family; JCC member price: $20 per family. Price includes one adult canvas. Register by Friday, Jan. 11, to reserve your canvas. Walk-ins not permitted for this event. To register, visit the JCC Welcome Desk, call 610-4353571 or go online at www.lvjcc.org/trees.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 Preserving Memory: How Did Five Czech Torah Scrolls Survive the Holocaust and Arrive in the Lehigh Valley?

12 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley. A Lunch & Learn program presented by the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

For over 1,000 years there was a rich tradition of Jewish life in Bohemia and Moravia, now the Czech Republic.

In 1700, Jews accounted for a quarter of Prague’s population. When the Nazis invaded in 1939, many of the 350 Czech synagogues were abandoned or destroyed. In 1942, a group of Prague Jews surprisingly persuaded the Nazis to store over 100,000 deteriorating religious objects. Some believe they intended a future museum of Jewish artifacts. Included in the cache were approximately 1,800 Torahs, which the Jewish curators, most of whom later perished in the camps, numbered and cataloged. In 1963, The Czech Memorial Scrolls Trust purchased and stored the Torahs in Westminster Synagogue’s Kent House in London. Today, four of those Torah’s are in the Lehigh Valley. Join us as Jeffrey Ohrenstein, Memorial Scrolls trust chairman, speaks about these four unique Torah’s and how they embarked on a travesty that landed them in our community. $12 for lunch and program.

RSVP to 610-821-5500 or aaron@jflv.org.

MONDAY, JANUARY 21 Friendship Circle Special Holiday Program: Intergenerational Tu B’Shevat Seder 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley.

Celebrate the new year of trees with music, fruits and “wine” (juice). Friendship Circle lunch will be served after the seder program. Lunch and program $10, $7 Friendship Circle members.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 27 Super Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley. A full community day of service that unites volunteers from across the community to raise money for

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4 Friendship Circle Lunch & Program: Elvis & Oldies with Vocalist Jeff Krick 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley Lunch and program $10, $7 Friendship Circle members.

Celebrate the beauty of Shabbat

with Cantor Wartell

FRIDAYS 8-9:30 AM WMUH 91.7 muhlenberg.edu/wmuh 484.664.3456

Shabbat & Yom Tov Candlelighting Times Friday, Jan. 4

4:30 pm

Friday, Jan. 25

4:53 pm

Friday, Jan. 11

4:37 pm

Friday, Feb. 1

5:02 pm

Friday, Jan. 18

4:45 pm

Friday, Feb. 8

5:10 pm

Ongoing Events SUNDAY to FRIDAY DAF YOMI 7:30 a.m., Congregation Sons of Israel Meeting all year long, this class covers the gamut of Talmudic law, studying one page of the Talmud each day, and completing the Talmud over the course of seven and a half years. Basic Jewish background is recommended.

SUNDAYS JEWISH WAR VETERANS POST 239 2nd Sunday of the month, 10 a.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley Veterans and their significant others are invited as the guest of the Ladies Auxiliary. Come and enjoy comradeship; we’ll even listen to your “war stories.” A brunch follows each meeting. Questions? Contact Commander Sheila Berg at 610360-1267 or sh-berg1@hotmail. com.

TEFILLIN CLUB & ADULT HEBREW SCHOOL 9:30 a.m. Tefillin; 10 to 11 a.m.

Adult Hebrew, Chabad Tefillin is for Jewish men and boys over the age of bar mitzvah, to learn about, and gain appreciation for, the rich and enriching Jewish practice – the mitzvah – of donning tefillin.

Contact 610-351-6511.

TALMUD CLASS FOR BEGINNERS! 10 to 11 a.m., Congregation Beth Avraham of Bethlehem-Easton For information,contact Rabbi Yitzchok I. Yagod at 610-905-2166.

TUESDAYS TORAH STUDY 12:30 p.m., at the home of Cindy Daniels, Easton Join Rabbi Melody of TCP to delve into the heart and soul of the Torah and how it applies to your life! No knowledge of Hebrew is necessary, nor is registration. Contact 610-2532031 for information.

YACHAD TORAH STUDY GROUP 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley It doesn’t matter how much you know, it matters how much you want to know. Bring your curiosity to Yachad’s Torah study group and discover the wonders, adventures and meaning of the Torah.

Moderated by lay leaders. Held in the front gallery at the JCC. Email barbart249@aol.com for information.

J-DAYS: CONNECTION CORNER AT THE J – YIDDUSH CLUB 2 to 3:30 p.m., pre-meeting 1:30 to 2 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley Enjoy fun, fellowship, stories and more. Discuss topics like cooking, humor, music and all kinds of entertainment in the Yiddish language. Want to learn and practice reading Yiddish in the AlefBeys? Come early to the pre-meeting at 1:30 p.m. J-Days is a time to connect with others. Join other adults to experience similar interests. The JCC will provide the space and light refreshments. Register for the year and participate in as many of the weekly J-Days activities as you would like. $5 per session or register for a full year: $18 per year. JCC members: free. Register with the JCC Welcome Desk or call 610-435-3571. Contact Amy Sams for more information

about J-Days at 610-435-3571 ext.

182 or asams@lvjcc.org.

100,000 MILES/YR FOR KOSHER! First Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m., Congregation Beth Avraham Open to all. Fascinating vignettes from a mashgiach who drives approximately 100,000 miles/year (yes, per year!) to keep the kosher supply chain intact. From rural Arkansas to frigid Nova Scotia, winter and summer, the demands are always there. Contact Rabbi Yitzchok I. Yagod, Kashruth Hotline (24/6), 610-905-2166, rabbiyagod1@gmail. com.

WEDNESDAYS 101 JUDAISM CLASS 10 a.m., Temple Covenant of Peace Join Rabbi Melody for the 101 Judaism Class. All welcome! Contact 610-253-2031 for information.

J-DAYS: CONNECTION CORNER AT THE J – MAH JONGG 1 to 3:30 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley Drop in for a friendly game of mahj and conversation. Join other adults to experience similar interests.

Register for the year and participate in as many of the weekly activities as you would like. $5/season or register for a full year: $18/year. JCC members: free. Register with the JCC Welcome Desk or call 610-4353571. Contact Amy Sams for more information about J-Days at 610-4353571 ext. 182 or asams@lvjcc.org.

KNITTING WITH FERNE 1 p.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel Free and open; no experience needed. Ferne is delighted to teach newcomers to knitting and crocheting as well as confer on projects with those who have more experience. A lovely way to spend a Wednesday afternoon!

HADASSAH STUDY GROUP Every other Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., Temple Beth El Allentown Hadassah presents a stimulating series of short story seminars. All are welcome to attend these free sessions in the Temple Beth El library. The group will be reading selections from anthologies available from Amazon.com. For dates and stories, contact Marilyn Claire, mjclaire@gmail.com, 610972-7054.

BETH AVRAHAM TORAH STUDY 7 p.m.

Torah: It is the common heritage that binds all Jews together. Explore the ancient wisdom of Torah together.

All are welcome. RSVP: Rabbi Yitzchok I. Yagod, 610-905-2166, rabbiyagod1@gmail.com.

TORAH STUDIES: A WEEKLY JOURNEY INTO THE SOUL OF TORAH 7 p.m., Chabad of the Lehigh Valley Torah Studies by JLI presents: Season Four 5778: A 12-part series. Cost is $36 for the complete series (textbook included). For more information contact 610-351-6511or Rabbi@ chabadlehighvalley.com.

ADULT B’NEI MITZVAH PROGRAM 7:15 p.m., Congregation Brith Sholom Goals: In part two of the adult b’nei

mitzvah program, we will continue to improve our Hebrew reading skills, explore the structure of the siddur, learn about key prayers and continue our study of the te’amim (trope) for Torah and Haftarah.

Required texts: “JPS English TaNaKh” or “Etz Hayyim Chumash,” “Aleph Isn’t Tough” (AnT) 1 & 2, Torah/Haftarah trope book.

ORTHODOX JEWISH LIVING: WHAT IS IT & HOW? 8 p.m. Contact Rabbi Yizchok I. Yagod, 610-905-2166, rabbiyagod1@gmail.com.

THURSDAYS CHRONIC CONDITIONS GROUP 2nd Thursday of the month, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Jewish Family Service The group is open to anyone that is coping with living with a chronic condition and looking for others to share life issues and garner support.

Co-led by Susan Sklaroff-VanHook and Rebecca Axelrod-Cooper. Call 610-821-8722 to learn more. There is no charge for the group.

ECCLESIASTES: A TIME AND A SEASON 10:30 a.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel Join a welcoming group of KI members and their friends to discuss a variety of topics relevant to the Jewish lives we have -- or want to have. No prerequisites except an open mind and a willingness to listen to each other. For more information or to get on the email list, contact shari@kilv.org or call 610-435-9074.

TORAH ON TILGHMAN 12:15 p.m., Allentown Wegmans Cantor Ellen Sussman of Temple Shirat Shalom leads a lunch and learn on the Torah. RSVP to contactus@templeshiratshalom.com or 610-820-7666.

SHABBAT BEGINNER’S GEMARA 8 a.m., Congregation Sons of Israel Facilitated by Dr. Henry Grossbard, this is an excellent primer for developing the analytical tools necessary for in-depth study of the Talmud.

CONTEMPORARY HALACHIC ISSUES FROM THE PARSHA 12 p.m., Congregation Sons of Israel This class takes Halachah from the weekly Torah portion and brings it to bear on some of the most pressing issues of our time.

CHAVURAT TORAH STUDY Saturdays following kiddush lunch, Temple Beth El Taught by Shari Spark. No sign-up needed. Length of each class will vary. Enrich your Shabbat experience by studying the parashat hashavua, the weekly Torah portion. Questions?

Email Shari at shari@bethelallentown. org.

WISDOM OF THE TALMUD 1 p.m., Congregation Brith Sholom Join Rabbi Singer in a lively discussion about Jewish law, ethics, customs and history, as found in the pages of the Talmud, Masechet Brachot. This year we are continuing to focus on the roots of the Amidah and what blessings are said over different foods. Books are available for order.

No previous Talmud study required.

Congregations BNAI ABRAHAM SYNAGOGUE 1545 Bushkill St., Easton – 610.258.5343 Conservative SHABBAT MORNING services are Saturdays at 10 a.m.

CHABAD OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY 4457 Crackersport Rd., Allentown – 610.336.6603 Rabbi Yaacov Halperin, Chabad Lubavitch SHABBAT EVENING services are held once a month seasonally, SHABBAT MORNING services are held Saturdays at 10 a.m., RELIGIOUS SCHOOL classes are held Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m.

CONGREGATION AM HASKALAH 1190 W. Macada Rd., Bethlehem – 610.435.3775 Rabbi Malkah Binah Klein, Reconstructionist Weekly Shabbat services and a monthly family service with potluck dinner. Religious school meets Sunday mornings. Email am.haskalah.office@ gmail.com to learn more.

CONGREGATION BETH AVRAHAM 439 South Nulton Ave., Palmer Township – 610.905.2166 | Rabbi Yitzchok Yagod, Orthodox SHABBAT EVENING starts half an hour after candle lighting. SHABBAT MORNING starts at 9:30 a.m., followed by a hot kiddish.

CONGREGATION BRITH SHOLOM 1190 W. Macada Rd., Bethlehem – 610.866.8009 Rabbi Michael Singer, Conservative MINYAN is at 7:45 a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. on Shabbat and holidays. RELIGIOUS SCHOOL classes every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at Brith Sholom and Sundays at 9:30 a.m. at Temple Beth El. CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL 2227 Chew St., Allentown – 610.435.9074 Rabbi Seth D. Phillips, Reform Services begin at 7:30 pm every Friday night. The first Friday of the month is a birthday celebration.

Religious School is held on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and runs from kindergarten through confirmation (10th grade).

CONGREGATION SONS OF ISRAEL 2715 Tilghman St., Allentown – 610.433.6089 Orthodox SHACHARIT: Sundays at 8:30 a.m., Mondays and Thursdays at 6:30 a.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6:45 a.m. MINCHAH/MAARIV: 20 minutes before sunset. FRIDAY EVENING: 20 minutes before sunset, 7 p.m. in the summer. SHABBAT MORNING: 9 a.m. SHABBAT AFTERNOON: 90 minutes before dark.

TEMPLE BETH EL 1305 Springhouse Rd., Allentown – 610.435.3521 Rabbi Moshe Re’em, Conservative WEEKDAY MORNING minyan services at 7:45 a.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m. SHABBAT EVENING services at 7:30 p.m. with the last Friday evening of the month featuring our Shira Chadasha Service.

SHABBAT MORNING services at 9:30 a.m. followed by kiddush. RELIGIOUS SCHOOL classes every Tuesday at 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. Midrasha school classes Monday at 6:30 p.m. Shalshelet meets bimonthly on Monday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Shalshelet (the chain) is open to ALL 10th, 11th and 12th grade students in the Lehigh Valley. For more information, contact Alicia Zahn, religious school director, at school@bethelallentown.org.

TEMPLE COVENANT OF PEACE 1451 Northampton St., Easton – 610.253.2031 tcp@rcn.com; tcopeace.org Rabbi Melody Davis, Cantor Jill Pakman, Reform TCP holds Shabbat morning services at 10 a.m. For more information about our Temple and activities, see our website at www.tcopeace.org or look us up on Facebook.

TEMPLE ISRAEL OF LEHIGHTON 194 Bankway Str. Lehighton – 610-379-9591 Pluralistic Shabbat evening services are held monthly beginning with potluck at 6:30 p.m. followed by services at 7:30 p.m. All regular monthly events can be found at templeisraeloflehighton.com.

TEMPLE SHIRAT SHALOM 610.706.4595 | Cantor Ellen Sussman, Reform TSS meets in congregants’ homes once per month and at Cantor Sussman’s home once per month.

Call Cantor Sussman for details.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JANUARY 2019 23

JANUARY 2019 CONTINUES

SEE SPECIAL SECTIONS:

2019